19 December Turkey Brigade Brings 660 Turkeys to the Emergency Food Bank December 19, 2019 By Alesha Pichler In The News 0 STOCKTON — Motorists surprised to encounter a convoy of police and fire vehicles driving the streets of Stockton on Wednesday morning need not have been alarmed. Dozens of Stockton police officers, firefighters and Food 4 Less/Rancho San Miguel employees took part in the 24th annual Turkey Brigade to help the Emergency Food Bank Stockton/San Joaquin. The officers and firefighters collected 660 turkeys at the Hammer Lane Food 4 Less in north Stockton and delivered them to the Emergency Food Bank in downtown Stockton. The vehicles included a vintage fire engine, police motorcycles, patrol cars and a paddy wagon. The turkeys will be given away as part of the makings of a Christmas holiday meal from 8 a.m. to noon on Monday at the food bank, 7 W. Scotts Ave., Stockton. “I pulled up for the Turkey Brigade and I could not believe how many law enforcement officers and firefighters were there,” said Mary Ann Lucero, chief executive officer of the Emergency Food Bank. “It’s beyond a substantial donation. Words can’t describe how large a donation it is.” The Stockton Police Officers Association contributed $1,500, the Stockton Fire Department Local 456 donated $2,000 and Food 4 Less matched them dollar-for-dollar for a total contribution of $7,000, equaling 660 turkeys. Since the three entities formed their partnership almost a quarter-century ago, 10,260 turkeys, 152,000 pounds total, have been donated to the food bank. “The joint donation equals a third of all the turkeys given away,” said Chris Podesto, senior vice president and general manager of Food 4 Less/Rancho San Miguel markets. “We’re thrilled to partner with them.” Lucero said the food bank projects about 2,000 people will show up on Monday, slightly fewer than for Thanksgiving. Lucero said side-dish items, such as packaged mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, stuffing and cranberry sauce, are needed. She said the food bank will serve at least 20,000 more people this year than last year and donations are needed to meet growing demand. “The population is growing so quickly,” she said. Information: (209) 464-7369, stocktonfoodbank.org. Contact reporter Bob Highfill at (209) 546-8277 or jhighfill@recordnet.com Comments are closed.